Steering column for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A steering column includes a steering spindle mounted rotatably about the steering-spindle longitudinal axis thereof, and a bracket unit fixed to the motor vehicle. The casing unit is held on the bracket unit so as to be displaceable in at least one direction parallel to and/or transversely with respect to the steering-spindle longitudinal axis and can be locked in differing positions by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has at least one locking element which is mounted moveably, preferably rotatably. In at least one locking position of the locking element, the casing unit is locked in the position thereof in the bracket unit and, in at least one release position of the locking element, the casing unit can be displaced relative to the bracket unit in at least one of the directions parallel to and/or transversely with respect to the steering-spindle longitudinal axis.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A steering column for a motor vehicle comprising:
 a jacket unit; 
 a steering spindle bearing-supported in said jacket unit so as to be rotatable about a steering spindle longitudinal axis; and 
 a bracket unit to be fixed on the motor vehicle; 
 wherein said jacket unit is held in or on said bracket unit so as to be displaceable in at least one of a parallel direction and a transverse direction with respect to said steering spindle longitudinal axis, said jacket unit being securable in positions differing from one another by a securement mechanism, said securement mechanism including at least one movably supported securement element; 
 wherein said jacket unit is secured in or on said bracket unit in at least one locked position of said securement element; 
 wherein, in a release position of said securement element, said jacket unit is displaceable relative to said bracket unit in at least one of the parallel direction and the transverse direction relative to said steering spindle longitudinal axis; 
 wherein said steering column comprises at least one movably supported stop body cooperating with said securement element directly or indirectly, said stop body being arranged and configured so that:
 in the release position of said securement element, said stop body is disposed in a first position for delimiting a displaceability of said jacket unit relative to said bracket unit in at least one of the parallel direction and the transverse direction relative to said steering spindle longitudinal axis; and 
 in a locked position of said securement element, said stop body is disposed in at least one second position in which said stop body is out of engagement with said jacket unit. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The steering column of  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least one securement element of said securement mechanism is rotatably supported. 
     
     
       3. The steering column of  claim 1 , wherein said steering column comprises at least one counter-stop body; and
 said stop body is configured and arranged so that, in the release position of said securement element for delimiting the displaceability of said jacket unit relative to said bracket unit in at least one of the parallel direction and the transverse direction relative to said steering spindle longitudinal axis, said stop body cooperates with said counter-stop body. 
 
     
     
       4. The steering column of  claim 3 , wherein said steering column comprises at least two counter-stop bodies; and
 said stop body is configured and arranged so that, in the release position of said securement element for delimiting the displaceability of said jacket unit relative to said bracket unit in at least one of the parallel direction and the transverse direction relative to said steering spindle longitudinal axis, said stop body cooperates with said at least two counter-stop bodies. 
 
     
     
       5. The steering column of  claim 3 , wherein said stop body is movably supported directly or indirectly in or on said bracket unit, and said counter-stop body is or are disposed directly or indirectly in or on said jacket unit. 
     
     
       6. The steering column of  claim 3 , wherein said stop body, viewed in a direction of the displaceability of said jacket unit relative to said bracket unit, is fixed in or on said bracket unit; and
 wherein said counter-stop body, viewed in the direction of displaceability of said jacket unit relative to said bracket unit, is fixed in or on said jacket unit. 
 
     
     
       7. The steering column of  claim 3 , wherein said counter-stop body delimits a channel-like cutout, delimited by side walls in the direction of displaceability of said jacket unit relative to said bracket unit, and said stop body in the release position of said securement element engages into said channel-like cutout. 
     
     
       8. The steering column of  claim 7 , wherein said channel-like cutout comprises an elongated hole. 
     
     
       9. The steering column of  claim 7 , wherein said side walls oppose each other and extend in the direction of displaceability of said jacket unit relative to said bracket unit. 
     
     
       10. The steering column of  claim 7 , wherein said channel-like cutout is disposed directly or indirectly in or on said jacket unit. 
     
     
       11. The steering column of  claim 1 , wherein said securement element is configured to be swivellable about a securement element swivel axis. 
     
     
       12. The steering column of  claim 11 , wherein said securement element comprises one of a manually-actuatable lever or an electrically driven rotation element. 
     
     
       13. The steering column of  claim 1 , wherein said stop body is at least regionally implemented as a pin. 
     
     
       14. The steering column of  claim 1 , wherein said stop body is supported so as to be shiftable directly or indirectly in or on said bracket unit. 
     
     
       15. The steering column of  claim 14 , wherein said stop body is supported so as to be linearly shiftable directly or indirectly in or on said bracket unit. 
     
     
       16. The steering column of  claim 1 , wherein said stop body is guided in at least one movement direction of said stop body over at least one control face, said control face being disposed on one of said securement element or an element coupled with said securement element displaceable in the movement direction of said securement element, with which the securement element is displaceable between the release position and the locked position. 
     
     
       17. The steering column of  claim 16 , wherein said securement element is supported rotatably about a securement element swivel axis, and said control face has a form encompassing said securement element swivel axis at least regionally in a spiral form. 
     
     
       18. The steering column of  claim 16 , wherein at least two control faces delimit a groove, and said stop body engages into said groove for positive coupling with said securement element. 
     
     
       19. The steering column of  claim 18 , wherein said groove is formed in or on said securement element. 
     
     
       20. The steering column of  claim 1 , wherein said stop body is configured to be spring-loaded by a spring, said spring being configured to press said stop body against said control face when said stop body is spring loaded. 
     
     
       21. The steering column of  claim 1 , wherein said securement element is supported swivellably about a securement element swivel axis, and said stop body is swivellably connected with said securement element. 
     
     
       22. The steering column of  claim 21 , wherein said stop body is swivellably connected with said securement element about said securement element swivel axis. 
     
     
       23. The steering column of  claim 22 , wherein said stop body is swivellably connected with said securement element about said securement element swivel axis via a clamp bolt. 
     
     
       24. A method of operating the steering column of  claim 1 , comprising:
 in the release position of said securement element, delimiting the displaceability of said jacket unit relative to said bracket unit in at least one of the parallel direction and the transverse direction relative to said steering spindle longitudinal axis by said stop body; and 
 disengaging the stop body from said jacket unit in the locked position of the securement element.